風 (fēng). 峯 (fēng). 酆 (fēng). These three Chinese characters are homophones; they are pronounced the same way but have different meanings. Taiwanese fashion label WEITZUYUAN — founded by the designer of the same name — brought wordplay and cultural design intertwined with the natural to its Spring/Summer 2027 collection.
The collection, titled “Silent And Subtle,” marked WEITZUYUAN’s return to Taipei Fashion Week. The SS27 runways and presentations were hosted at the Heritage Building at Kong Zong Cultural Park for the first time, a repurposed Air Force base located in the heart of Taipei.
Wall-to-wall windows filled the spaces with natural light, accentuating the textural details and the cultural narratives of “Silent and Subtle.”
Striving For the Peak
Conversation faded to a hush as the lights shifted. At the same time, the background music transitioned into a track with thumping bass — the sound of strong winds rushing down mountains and into valleys.
Taiwan’s mountains and the Earth God, protector of agriculture and harbinger of wealth, form the inspirational roots of the “Peak” pieces. Mountain-shaped textures are woven throughout this series’ looks. Most notable is the frontal structure that borrows from the Chinese character “山” (shān), meaning “mountain.” Fringe, which could be translated as divine shawls, also appears in the piece. This element reflects motifs associated with the God of Fortune.
The vibrant colors mirror those often found in Taiwanese temples. Fringe attached to shoulder pieces, pleated fabric, neatly sliced constructions create a juxtaposition between hard and soft — just like mountains. These looks hold the land itself in them; they’re created, unmade, and created again.
History Blends With Now
The thumping EDM switched again, this time into a ballad. Attendees witnessed a live performance by model Afalian Lufic, who is also an indigenous Amis musician. He brought the special track, “The Wind Still Remembers,” which he penned based on the collection’s concept, to the presentation.
These looks of “Silent and Subtle” revolved around 酆 — a character with folklore roots. According to the brand, these pieces were inspired by Fengdu, the capital of the mythological underworld. WEITZUYUAN translated this mythological angle into its SS27 collection, adding Indigenous ancestral spirit elements, too.
Jet black, muted gold/brass, and neon green formed the main color palette. Statement necklaces hugged the models’ necks, the pointed ends mirroring the sharp cutouts of the pants. Floor-length sleeves contributed additional texture with the use of loofah fiber, a composite material. Folds, cuts, and geometric designs with hints of shininess further build this underworld. Subtle undercurrents of power flowed in each step that radiated far beyond the Taipei Fashion Week runway.
Chasing the Wind
One final swoosh of fabric, and the upbeat tempo returned. Pounding bass and rhythmic drum beats set the scene before revealing the first look. This final section of the SS27 collection was inspired by Taiwan’s nine major winds, which became a boon to the land. The designer also drew inspiration from other cultures, including Aeolus, the Greek god of winds, and the Hindu god of winds.
Bold blues, purples, reds, and neon green permeate the collection — colors characteristic of the brand. This saturated palette also points to rich lands, formed in part because of these winds.
Deconstruction of fabrics and the recombination of textural details create the foundation of the “Wind” pieces. Stiff corsets and rough laces juxtapose the attached elements flowing from the models’ bodies. Despite these stiff details, there was always movement. Iridescent sections of pants, jackets, and hair reflect the room’s natural light when the models strut, sway, and twist. This smoothness was then reflected in wet hair looks and the makeup, sparkles dotting over cheekbones, under eyes, and across nose bridges.
Auspicious purple cloud motifs make appearances in reconstructed pants and sliced skirts. Deconstructed blazers, chunky jewelry, and elements fastened or clipped to thicker fabric created even more visual interest. Viewers couldn’t help but greedily take in these textural playgrounds and examples of masterful tailoring.
Through “Silent and Subtle,” WEITZUYUAN explores how deconstruction and recreation impacts how a person moves. The moods of the wind, the steadiness of nature, and the resonance of Taiwanese culture weave together with the intricacies of language and the human body.
Keep up with WEITZUYUAN on Instagram. Learn more about Taipei Fashion Week on their Instagram and website.
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